Gordon McConnell Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Paul, The ME109 paint scheme and finish looks superb. If I can achieve anything near to that quality I will be delighted! I have Gylnn’s decals so they should look good at least! Still some way off that stage as just sheeting the wings at the moment. Thanks also to the tips on the tail wheel steering. I will be going with a fixed wheel. Your explanation of the take-off characteristic is spot on as when the tail wheel lifts off, any steering force contribution from the wheel is lost and the aircraft will yaw accordingly. It is also better to have the tail wheel in the scale location, rather than hung off the bottom of the rudder. Sometimes simplest is the best solution! Rainy and cold today so should make some progress in the workshop. Regards, Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Sivers Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Thanks guys for your advice regarding the tail wheel, on reflection I think I’ll stick with the fixed set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Robson Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Another way if you are flying electric from grass is to make a wire skid. This is my depron Seafury and to save weight at the rear I used a skid which is almost invisible in the air . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hazell 1 Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 I've decided I'm going to build the Spit first, so I might not get around to the P51 until lockdown 6! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Gardiner Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Do you think a retractable tail wheel would be do-able on this model, or would it add too much weight at the rear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARD WILLS Posted January 16, 2021 Author Share Posted January 16, 2021 Hi Geoff , For a fully functional , retractable and steerable unit .the FMS 109 and perhaps their P51 both have plug in units . I believe they are around £20 . As with most things at the moment , hunting one down is another matter . The weight is not significant if you make a compensation elsewhere . So if you can chop a lot of the internal frame work away around the tail area and cover the tail surfaces with something light like laminating film , then you can reward your self with a nice little feature . As Paul and Eric point out , that if you hang too many Baubles on the tree it will have a tendency to topple Robart did use to make a nice light plastic unit that could be operated remotely from a servo . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARD WILLS Posted January 16, 2021 Author Share Posted January 16, 2021 Ah ha! Further to that, I have just seen that the Robart unit is still available but pricey at around £25 .But of course the wonderful "patent honouring " people in the east have replicated one on the HK site . It is currently out of stock but due in mid feb at a cost of ..........£4 item code SKU OR 025-00801 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Posted by RICHARD WILLS on 16/01/2021 13:47:55: Hi Geoff , For a fully functional , retractable and steerable unit .the FMS 109 and perhaps their P51 both have plug in units . I believe they are around £20 . I used the Robart one on my Top Flite Mustang 60 build: As you can see, I also fitted doors using a spreader bar and elastic bands to open and close them. Couldn't get it to work so used a 9g micro servo to operate the doors with a mix and delay to the retracr servo. Worked a treat on the bench but still have to try it in the air! The reason for the long bent wire retainer is to allow the doors to be unhooked and the servo removed and replaced should it fail. The servo mounting plate is retained by the 2 servo screws you can see. Hope that helps anyone wanting to install a retracting tailwheel and operating doors if you are so inclined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Posted by RICHARD WILLS on 16/01/2021 13:54:13: . . But of course the wonderful "patent honouring " people in the east have replicated one on the HK site . It is currently out of stock but due in mid feb at a cost of ..........£4 item code SKU OR 025-00801 Hmm, as it happens, I have one of those HK retractable tailwheels. I bought it years ago with a view to using it on my BT P47 but, once I realised what a big brute of a machine that was going to be, I decided that it probably wouldn’t be man enough. It may well be okay for the P51 though. Incidentally, the unit I eventually used for the P47 was a re-purposed nosewheel retract - there’s a much wider choice of those than there is for tailwheels. Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Gardiner Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Had a look on Hobbyking. They have an 18.8g electric retract, out of stock of course. The robart style one doesn't give a weight but the Robart one is 17g plus you will need a servo. Looks like the electric one may be a better option. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan S Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 So I have been looking at servos. Is 15g too heavy ? Also what would be better mini or micro if they had same or similar specs. Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Chinnery Posted January 16, 2021 Share Posted January 16, 2021 Just a thought - if your plane yaws as soon as the tail wheel/skid leaves the ground, couldn't this be controlled or even prevented by incorporating a gyro in between the Rx and the rudder servo - it would be altogether nicer when taxiing too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson 4 Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 That has been a subject of debate on another thread on this forum and has quite some pages.... Worth a read but keep your tin hat on as they get very passionate about it at times.... The experienced flyers who have setup gyros and got it to help tell of its benefits but, to the newcomers starting out in balsa bashing and warbirds have enough on their plate without having to tame a squirrel on speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson 4 Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Just another thing I remembered, the real thing, and many aircraft had this, used a tail wheel lock for their take off run and wheel brakes to steer with whilst taxying. As with our models of this size it's all about compromise of scale versus practicality...... now where can I get a set of disc brakes for a 3" wheel..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson 4 Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Posted by Jonathan S on 16/01/2021 22:53:14: So I have been looking at servos. Is 15g too heavy ? Also what would be better mini or micro if they had same or similar specs. Thx Hi Jonathan I don't want to point you to any particular one as I hope that by giving you a set of "parameters" it will add to your build experience and pleasure. The main thing with any build is to ensure you have a good flying model is always err on saving weight where you can. As Richard said too many baubles...... Edited By Paul Johnson 4 on 17/01/2021 07:09:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARD WILLS Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Slightly off topic but brother to the P51 . Comedy thought for today . I am just contemplating painting a P38 lightning and was thinking about masking up the invasion stripes . Then it hjt me . Why on earth did the P38 need invasion stripes ? How bad did you need to be as an Allied gunner to mistakenly identify a P38 as an Axis aircraft ? Even Mr Magoo would have spotted that one . What a waste of paint (and effort ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Robson Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 FW 189 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARD WILLS Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Imagine the Crew Chief at Kings Cliff , being told to pant his whole squadron of Lightnings with acres of black and white for no obvious gain ? Surely one of them must have said "Boss! Why ?"" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson 4 Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Now Richard it has become apparent that you have never served in Her Majesty's Armed Services. The most import rule was..... If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, paint it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 I notice that some of them only had the stripes on the underside of the booms. Maybe the standard paint quota didn’t allow for twin booms?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICHARD WILLS Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 You can do the tightest formation flying in a P38 ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Posted by RICHARD WILLS on 17/01/2021 10:08:05: Slightly off topic but brother to the P51 . Comedy thought for today . I am just contemplating painting a P38 lightning and was thinking about masking up the invasion stripes . Then it hjt me . Why on earth did the P38 need invasion stripes ? How bad did you need to be as an Allied gunner to mistakenly identify a P38 as an Axis aircraft ? Even Mr Magoo would have spotted that one . What a waste of paint (and effort ) Never thought about that before, but you are quite correct. Will you be starting a new thread on the forthcoming Warbird Replicas P-38 kit.? Drool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson 4 Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Posted by leccyflyer on 17/01/2021 10:42:21: Posted by RICHARD WILLS on 17/01/2021 10:08:05: Slightly off topic but brother to the P51 . Comedy thought for today . I am just contemplating painting a P38 lightning and was thinking about masking up the invasion stripes . Then it hjt me . Why on earth did the P38 need invasion stripes ? How bad did you need to be as an Allied gunner to mistakenly identify a P38 as an Axis aircraft ? Even Mr Magoo would have spotted that one . What a waste of paint (and effort ) Never thought about that before, but you are quite correct. Will you be starting a new thread on the forthcoming Warbird Replicas P-38 kit.? Drool. Ha Ha ....shot yourself in the foot there Richard..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson 4 Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Now WHY am I laughing at Richard you ask? Well this is all his fault and the Mrs blames him.... Well I said he made me do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Robson Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 I think Richards P38 will come out after his Lancaster and that is due the 12th of never. What no balsa! use foam board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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